The History of Heritage
Founding|
Accreditation|
Expansion|
Heritage Preparatory School was founded in 1998 with 15 students by a small group of like-minded families in the educational space of Westminster Presbyterian Church on Sheridan Road in Atlanta. In 2003, the school moved to the current location on the campus of Morningside Baptist Church. A fifty year lease was signed in 2008 securing the school’s position as a Classical Christian school in midtown Atlanta. The lease was extended to ninety-nine years in 2019.
Middle School was added in 2005, with the first class of three graduating in 2008. Heritage alumni have received accolades in their high schools for academics, extracurricular activities, sports and service opportunities.
The school received its first accreditation from SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) in 2008. In 2014 and in 2019 the school received dual accreditation from SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and SACS.
The school has seen steady growth. In 2007, the enrollment reached 100 students and over 150 students were enrolled in 2013.
Extracurricular activities were first introduced in 2007 with a chess club, followed by the addition of a drama club. Today the school has a robust clubs program for students in all levels of the school.
In 2010, the school launched the middle school athletic program that included boys’ and girls’ cross-country, girls’ volleyball, boys’ basketball and girls’ soccer. In 2013, Heritage joined the Metro Atlanta Athletic Conference.
The school launched the middle school House Program in 2017. This allowed middle school students to work together within the school as well as on service projects in the community.
In 2020, the school purchased property across from the current campus. The new property allowed the school to launch a high school in August 2021. The addition of a high school allows for the completion of the third stage of the classical model. The course curriculum for high school was envisioned and implemented, and Junior Varsity sports teams were added in 2022.
The lower school was extensively renovated in 2022 to accommodate the demand for classical Christ-centered education.
Middle School was added in 2005, with the first class of three graduating in 2008. Heritage alumni have received accolades in their high schools for academics, extracurricular activities, sports and service opportunities.
The school received its first accreditation from SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) in 2008. In 2014 and in 2019 the school received dual accreditation from SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and SACS.
The school has seen steady growth. In 2007, the enrollment reached 100 students and over 150 students were enrolled in 2013.
Extracurricular activities were first introduced in 2007 with a chess club, followed by the addition of a drama club. Today the school has a robust clubs program for students in all levels of the school.
In 2010, the school launched the middle school athletic program that included boys’ and girls’ cross-country, girls’ volleyball, boys’ basketball and girls’ soccer. In 2013, Heritage joined the Metro Atlanta Athletic Conference.
The school launched the middle school House Program in 2017. This allowed middle school students to work together within the school as well as on service projects in the community.
In 2020, the school purchased property across from the current campus. The new property allowed the school to launch a high school in August 2021. The addition of a high school allows for the completion of the third stage of the classical model. The course curriculum for high school was envisioned and implemented, and Junior Varsity sports teams were added in 2022.
The lower school was extensively renovated in 2022 to accommodate the demand for classical Christ-centered education.
Heritage Preparatory earned its inaugural accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 2008. This recognition was amplified when, in both 2014 and 2019, the school garnered dual accreditations from SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and SACS.
The institution has witnessed consistent expansion. Enrollment numbers hit a landmark with 100 students in 2007 and surpassed 150 by 2013. To further enrich the student experience, extracurricular activities were inaugurated in 2007, commencing with a chess club and subsequently a drama club. Presently, a vibrant clubs program caters to students across all grades.
The Heritage Crest
The crest embodies the foundational philosophy of Heritage.
Comprising a shield, it symbolizes the “shield of faith” mentioned in Ephesians 6:16:
“In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the
flaming missiles of the evil one.”
The crest is divided into four quadrants by the cross, which represents our Saviour Jesus Christ and the life He gives us.
Our motto is Esse Quam Videri, which means “To Be Rather Than To Seem.”
The first quadrant contains the symbol of the crown, representing righteousness. Our highest aspiration is stated by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.”
The second quadrant depicts the Bible, representing the divine and inspired Word of God. It represents wisdom, truth, and knowledge. In Proverbs 3:13 we are told, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.”
The third quadrant, depicting a paint brush and musical treble clef, symbolizes our talents used to glorify God. All of a Christian’s artistic and musical efforts should reflect God and His beauty. Drawing inspiration from Colossians 3:23, we do our work heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. The art that we study and produce and the music we sing are summarized in Philippians 4:8: “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
The fourth quadrant, containing the swords, represents “iron sharpening iron.” Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” In a dual-meaning, the swords also symbolize evangelism; In Ephesians 6:17-19, we are charged to “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times with the spirit… make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”
Visit Us
The education of your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. Thank you for your interest in Heritage, a Christ-centered classical school located in Atlanta, GA.
We look forward to meeting you!
